The Anna Maria Island Community Center's fall recreational soccer league kicked off on Sept. 16 with Island Fun Day, a full schedule of "mini" soccer games in four age groups which ran all day, team photos and food and fun for all.

Family members, fans and players were also challenged to spirit day, where everyone was encouraged to dress in team colors and show "top-end" enthusiasm for their team of choice.

Coastal Orthopedic team mom Kelly Joseph went all out for her instructional league team. Each and every player had their hair "painted" blue to match the Coastal Orthopedic team colors, while also providing face paint, tattoos and, of course, blue Gatorade. Fans were equally outfitted along with soccer tambourines, balloons and a banner to support their team.

The action started for real Monday, Sept. 18. Get on out and check out the action for yourself or keep up with all of the action right here in The Islander sports section.

Island hockey player earns award

Nine-year old Parker Keegan and his Gulf Coast Flames hockey team recently finished in second place in the Labor Day Ice Hockey Tournament in Ellenton.

Keegan also earned an individual award as the top goalie in his division for making an awesome 92 saves during the tournament. Congratulations, Parker!

Key Royale golf news

The men of the Key Royale Club were at it again with a nine-hole, two-best-balls-of-foursome game on Sept. 11. The team of Russ Olson, Larry Fowler, Fred Meyer and Matt Behan fired an impressive, 8-under-par 56 to lay claim to first place by four strokes over the second-place team. Seconds honor went to the team of Ralph Bassett, Austin Rice, Dan Hayes and George Hieber, who were at 4-under-par 60.

Wednesday's 18-hole tournament, which featured a two-man, better-ball format, was reduced to nine holes due to rain. Anthony Tampolino and Chris Collins fired a 5-under-par 27 to claim first place by one shot over the twosome of John Atkinson and Dick Grimme.

Horseshoe news

Rain limited the participants Wednesday and threatened to end an over-200 consecutive horseshoe playing streak without a rainout. Four players braved the wet and muddy conditions to play a five-game marathon tourney.

Jay Disbrow and John Johnson battled it out with Tom Rhodes and Ron Pepka. Rhodes and Pepka overcame a 0-2 start to the five-game match and came back to win three consecutive games to earn bragging rights for the day.

Three teams advanced out of traditional pool play action Sept. 9. John Johnson and Steve Doyle battled it out with Ron Pepka and Cathy Stoltzfus in the semifinal match. Pepka and Stoltzfus emerged from a real barn-burner to win by a 21-20 score and advance to the day's final match.

There they went up against Debbie Rhodes and pit elder statesman, 89-year-old George Landritus. In a game that saw eight lead changes, Pepka and Stoltzfus finally overcame their opponents by a 21-17 score to claim the championship trophy.

Play gets under way at 9 a.m. every Wednesday and Saturday at the Anna Maria City Hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m. followed by random team selection. There is no charge to play and everyone is welcome.

AMICC Soccer League Schedule

Division I (ages 12-14)

Sept. 23 9 a.m. ReMax vs. Physicians

Sept. 23 10 a.m. LaPensee vs. Danziger

Sept. 25 6 p.m. Physicians vs. Danziger

Sept. 26 6 p.m. Harry's vs. LaPensee

Division II (ages 10-11)

Sept. 22 6 p.m. M. Stanley vs. Surf Shop

Sept. 23 11 a.m. Cannons vs. IRE

Sept. 23 12 p.m. Sun vs. M. Stanley

Division III (ages 8-9)

Sept. 20 6 p.m. M. Norman vs. Mr. Bones

Sept. 21 6 p.m. Ford vs. Ooh La La

Sept. 23 1 p.m. Ford vs. M. Norman

Sept. 23 2 p.m. Ooh La La vs. A&E

Sept. 23 3 p.m. Americo vs. Mr. Bones

Instructional Division (ages 5-7)

Sept. 20 6 p.m. LBK Kiwanis vs. Ralph's

Sept. 21 6 p.m. LPAC vs. WCAC

Sept. 25 6 p.m. Beach Bistro vs. Ralph's

Sept. 26 6 p.m. LBK Kiwanis vs. Duncan

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